Extraction module for a capsule-based beverage production device

ABSTRACT

A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising a motor-driven extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, wherein in an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closed state the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space, a motor for controlling the transfer of the extraction module between the closed and opened state, and a knee lever arrangement, being functionally connected to the motor and to at least one of the jaw members and being designed to convert the motor drive action into a closure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw member are approaching each other, which is increasing during the course of the closure movement.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/534,036, filed on Sep. 21, 2006, which claims priority to EP05021062.4 filed Sep. 27, 2005, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to the production of a beverageor a liquid comestible on the basis of a capsule, which capsule containsingredients which are able to produce a beverage or liquid comestiblewhen interacting with a liquid, such as for example hot pressurisedwater, introduced into the volume of the capsule.

Especially in the field of coffee machines, machines have been widelydeveloped in which an initially hermetically sealed capsule containingbeverage ingredients is inserted (while still being sealed) in an openedextraction module. Then the extraction module surrounding the capsule istightly closed, water is injected at the first face of the capsule, thebeverage is produced in the volume of the capsule and a producedbeverage can be drained from a second face of the capsule.

Once the beverage production process is finished, the used capsule hasto be removed from the extraction module.

Different approaches are known for facilitating the handling of suchcapsule-based beverage production machines.

EP 1 095 605 A1 teaches an ejection mechanism for such a capsule,wherein when opening the extraction module, automatically an ejectordevice, mechanically coupled to the opening movement, lifts the usedcapsule off its support.

In order to inject the liquid into the capsule, often needle-likeelements are used which perforate the capsule from outside. Once thewater injection and beverage production process is finished, the capsuletends to stay attached to these injection means. To overcome thisproblem, EP 1 444 932 A1 proposes an extraction module, which is closedlinearly (in contrast to a rotational closing movement) and whichcomprises means for detaching a capsule from the water injection means(needles).

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention provides techniques for a reliableand simple mechanical arrangement for producing beverages from a capsulecontaining ingredients.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device forproducing a beverage from a capsule, the device comprising

an extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and acooperating second jaw member.

In an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members aredistanced from each other. In the closed state the jaw members tightlyenclose a capsule space.

A motor drives the transfer of the extraction module between the closedand opened state.

Mechanical conversion means transmit the drive action of the motor intoa relative displacement of the jaw members and have a variabletransmission ratio converting the drive action of the motor into aclosure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw memberare approaching each other. The closure force increases during thecourse of the closure movement. Thus the closure force reaches itsmaximum when it is needed most, i.e. when the jaw members have toenclose tightly any inserted capsule.

The mechanical conversion means can comprise a lever arrangement.

The lever arrangement can be connected to a spindle driven by the motor.

The rotational drive of the motor can be converted into a translationaldrive by having the spindle interact with a thread that is part of adrive shaft or is connected to it.

The lever arrangement can be composed of two co-parallel pairs oflevers. The levers of each pair of levers can be respectively connectedto each other by a knee joint. The motor can actuate directly orindirectly on the knee joint.

In the opened state of the extraction module each pair of levers canform an acute angle extending from the knee joint. In the closed stateof the extraction module each pair of levers can form an obtuse angleextending from the knee joint.

The extremity of one lever of each pair of levers opposite to the kneejoint can be respectively connected to one of the jaw members. The otherextremity can be respectively fixed in translation.

The position and/or orientation of the motor can follow the transfermovement of the extraction module between the opened and the closedstate.

Jaw member guiding means can be provided such that the jaw members aredisplacable along aligned trajectories when transferring the extractionmodule between its closed and opened state.

The device can comprise a frame for mounting the extraction module andthe motor to a main part of the beverage production device.

One of the jaw members can comprise means for injecting a liquid into aninserted capsule. The respectively other jaw member can comprise meansfor draining a produced beverage from an inserted capsule.

The device can comprise means for actively detaching the capsule fromthe injection means. Thereby the detaching means can be functionallycoupled to the motor-driven transfer movement of the extraction modulefrom its closed state towards its opened state.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a device for producing abeverage from a capsule containing a beverage ingredient. The devicecomprises an extraction module having a first jaw member and acooperating second jaw member. In an opened state of the extractionmodule the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closedstate the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space.

A motor drives the transfer of the extraction module between the closedand opened state.

First capsule detaching means are provided for actively detaching thecapsule from the first jaw member, and second capsule detaching meansare provided for actively detaching the capsule from the second jawmember. Thereby the first and second detaching means can be functionallycoupled to the motor-driven transfer movement of the extraction module.

The first and second detaching means can be mechanically coupled with atransfer movement of the extraction module from the closed state to theopened state such that one of the first and second detaching means isactivated at a defined time after the activation of the respectivelyother detaching means.

At least one of the detaching means can be designed to carry out arotational detaching movement.

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a device forproducing a beverage from a capsule (24), comprising a security sensorwhich enables the driving activity of the motor from the opened state tothe closed state only as long as no obstacle is sensed in a spaceconfined by the two approaching jaw members.

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method foroperating a capsule-based beverage production system. Thereby anextraction module is transferred, driven by a motor, from an openedstate, in which the capsule is inserted, to a closed state in which theextraction module tightly encloses the inserted capsule. The extractionmodule comprises first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member.The driving action of the motor is mechanically converted into a closureforce, i.e. a force with which the jaw members approach each other,which is increasing with the course of the closure movement.

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method foroperating a capsule-based beverage production system, wherein anextraction module is transferred from a closed state, in which abeverage is produced from the inserted capsule while being tightlyenclosed by the extraction module, to an opened state, the extractionmodule comprising a first jaw member and a cooperating second jawmember. Thereby the capsule (24) is actively detached from the both jawmembers when the extraction module is transferred from its closed stateto its opened state.

The capsule can be detached in a curved trajectory from at least one ofthe jaw members.

Further advantages, features and objects of the present invention willbecome evident from the following detailed description of an embodimentof the present invention when taking in conjunction with the figures ofthe enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an extraction module for a beverage production deviceaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows components of the extraction module,

FIG. 3 shows a partial view of the extraction module in an open state,

FIG. 4 shows a partial view an extraction module according to thepresent invention when the extraction module is in its closed state.

FIG. 5 shows an extraction module according to the present inventionduring its transfer movement from its close state to its open state,

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of a extraction module in the openstate comparable to FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of an extraction module of thepresent invention in its closed state essentially corresponding to FIG.4,

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of the extraction module accordingto the present invention during its transfer movement from its closestate to the open state, such that FIG. 8 is essentially correspondingto FIG. 5, and

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the extraction module when in anintermediate state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before referring in detail to the figures of the enclosed drawings, afew terms will be explained:

“Beverage” encompasses both drinkable liquids and liquid comestiblessuch as e.g. soups.

A “capsule” is any closed receptacle which is able to contain a beverageingredient in dry, liquid, solid or other form. The capsule can have ahard shell or a soft shell. It can be made from a single material or ofa mix of materials. It can have all kinds of shapes, such as e.g. a pador a cup-like shape. It can be hermetically sealed or not.

The term “extraction” and “extraction module” has been used as it isusually used when referring to the production of a coffee beverage. Itis to be understood that this term refers to all kind of interactionsbetween a liquid and an ingredient, such as e.g. mixing, dissolving,brewing etc.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an extraction module of the presentinvention.

The extraction module for a capsule 24 can be integrated in differentbeverage production devices, especially coffee brewing devices. Itconstitutes an independent module which only needs to be connected to asupply for electricity and for pressurised water (supplied e.g. from apump connected to a thermoblock or boiler).

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the front part of the main frame can beraised relative to the horizontal rear part by an angle between 20° and40°, preferably 30° to the horizontal plane. Thus the capsule 24 will bereceived in the extraction module in a rearwards-inclined position, suchthat the insertion movement of a capsule 24 will be directedergonomically slightly downwards. As will be explained later on, thisrearward inclination of the capsule 24 in the extraction module alsopromotes the removal of a used capsule 24 to the rear of the extractionmodule in relation to gravity.

The elements of the extraction module are fixed to a main frame 26. Themain frame 26 is composed of a left frame 1, a right frame 2, a leveraxis 3, a upper frame 4, a rear frame 5 and a lower frame 6.

Generally, the extraction module is driven by an electrical motor 12controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown in the drawings).Note that the electronic control unit is also connected to the safetysystem such that it can control the motor 12 depending on an outputdetection signal from the safety system.

The electrical motor 12 drives a mechanical transmission comprisinglevers 19 in order to move a first jaw, i.e. a mobile brewing headsupport 7 carrying the upper brewer head 8 relative to a second jaw,i.e. the lower frame 6 which (in contrast to the mobile brewing headsupport 7) is fixed in translation to the main frame 26 and carries alower brewing head 9 (see FIG. 2) which is adapted to support thecapsule 24.

The upper brewing head 8 presents at its lower side means to inject aliquid, such as for example hot pressurised water, into the capsule 24.The introduced liquid will then interact with the beverage or liquidcomestible ingredients contained in the capsule 24. The inventionencompasses all kinds of possible interactions, such as for examplemixing, brewing, extracting or dissolving.

The beverage or liquid comestible being the result of the interaction ofthe introduced liquid and the ingredients contained in the capsule 27can then be drained from the capsule 24 using draining means 27connected to the lower frame 6.

The lower frame 6 together with its lower brewing head 9 constitutes asecond jaw member which cooperates with the mobile brewing head support7 and its upper brewing head 8, which together constitute a second jawmember.

Thus, the two jaw members 6, 7 can be moved relative to each other,wherein in the opened position as for example shown in FIG. 1 a capsule24 can be inserted into the space confined by the two (distanced) jawmembers 6, 7.

Starting from the opened position as shown in FIG. 1, the electricalmotor 12 can drive the upper brewing head 8 to move downwards until itreaches a closed position (which will be explained later on referring toFIG. 4), in which closed position the two jaw members 6, 7 tightlyconfine the inserted capsule 24. The beverage production process takesplace during the closed state of the extraction module shown in FIG. 4.The replacement of a used capsule 24 by a new one takes place when theextraction module has returned in its opened position as shown in FIG.1.

The rotary drive action of the motor 12 is converted into a linearrelative movement of the two jaw members 6, 7. To this regard, in theexample as shown in FIG. 1, the upper brewing head 8 is guided 28 alonga rectilinear column 29 being part of the main frame 26. (Actuallyrespectively one guiding member 28 and vertical column 29 of the leftframe 1 and the right frame 2, respectively, is provided at each side ofthe mobile brewing head support 7.)

The motor 12 is rotatably mounted to the main frame 26 at a motor blockbearing axis 41.

As will be explained later on, particularly in the final approachingphase of the closure movement, the closure force, i.e. the force withwhich the upper and the lower jaw are approaching each other, isdesigned to be very high. In order to prevent both injuries of a usermanipulating the extraction module and/or a damaging of parts of theshown extraction module, a security system is provided comprising asliding door 11 and a security switch 10 (shown in FIG. 2).

If ever the lower edge 30 of the sliding door 11 encounters an obstacleduring its downward movement, the sliding door 11 is pushed upwardsagainst the biasing action of a spring 31 (s. FIG. 2) such that thesliding door 11 will activate the security switch 10 which will eithercause the downward movement to be stopped or which will cause therotation direction of the electrical motor 12 to be inverted such thatthe upper jaw with the sliding door 11 will eventually move upwards.

FIG. 2 shows parts of the extraction module of FIG. 1, i.e. the securitysystem comprising the sliding door 11, the spring 31 and the securityswitch 10. Further on, FIG. 2 shows in an exploded view the mobilebrewing head support 7 carrying the upper brewing head 8. In FIG. 2 thetwo linear guiding means 28 can be seen which guide the mobile brewinghead support 7 along the two co-parallel columns 29 of the main frame 26(s. FIG. 1).

Finally, FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the lower frame 6 with thelower brewing head 9.

The lower brewing head 9 comprises perforation means 32 which serve toopen the lower face of the capsule 24 when the lower face of the capsule24 is pressed against the perforation means 32.

In the shown example (s. FIG. 1) the capsule has the shape of a pad.Correspondingly, the lower brewing head 9 is provided with afrustroconical recess 33 centering the magic matching contour of thecapsule 24. A produced beverage is collected in the recess 33 and thenguided to the guiding channel 27 underneath.

FIG. 3 shows the enclosing unit according to the present inventionwithout the main frame 26 in order to have a better view of the staticand moveable parts housed inside and mounted to the main frame 26.

FIG. 3 shows the enclosing unit in its opened state. This can be seenfrom the fact that the upper brewing unit 7 is distanced from the lowerframe 6 and from the upper face of a capsule 24 placed by a user on thelower frame 6.

The electric motor 12 is connected to a gear box 13 fixed to a motorblock support 16.

The gear box 14 drives a spindle 15, which cooperates with a shafthaving two shaft guidances 18. The shaft 16 is provided with an innerthread such that the rotational drive of the spindle 15 is convertedinto a translational displacement Δx of the shaft 16.

The shaft 16 is connected to a lever arrangement being comprised of fourlevers 19 which are mounted in a knee-joint arrangement.

The lever arrangement comprises two coparallel pairs of levers, whereinthe shaft 16 displaces translationally (s. Δx) the knee joint(connection joint) 46 of each pair of levers 19.

The upper free end of the upper lever of each pair of levers is free inrotation, but fixed in translation connected to the main frame 26 bymeans of a lever axis 3 (s. FIG. 1).

Therefore, as the upper free end of each pair of levers 19 is free inrotation, but fixed in translation to the main frame 26 (s. FIG. 1), thelower free end of the opposed lever 19 of each pair of levers will bemoved linearly downwards when, driven by the motor 12, the shaft 16 ispushing the connection point of each pair of levers 19, to the left sidein FIG. 3.

The displacement of the shaft 16 thereby is directed perpendicularly tothe displacement of the free end of the lower free end of each pair oflevers 19 and thus to the displacement of the mobile brewing headsupport 7.

The lower free end of each pair of levers 19 is rotatably connected tothe mobile brewing head support 7.

As a result, the rotational drive of the spindle 15 will be convertedinto a translational displacement of the shaft 16, which in turn isconverted into a perpendicular displacement of the mobile brewing headsupport 7, which is referenced as Δy in FIG. 3.

In the opened position as shown in FIG. 3, each pair of levers forms anacute angle when seen from the connection or knee joint 46 connected tothe shaft 16. Therefore, starting from the position as shown in FIG. 3 arelatively small displacement Δx of the shaft 16 will result in arelatively large displacement Δy of the mobile brewing head support 7.Correspondingly, in this early stage of a closure movement, i.e. atransfer movement to lower the mobile brewing head support 7, the mobilebrewing head support 7 will descend relatively fast but with relativelylow force.

The more the mobile brewing head support 7 is driven downwards, the morethe initially acute angle of each of the pairs 19 will be converted intoan obtuse angle. At the end of the closure transfer movement (s. FIG. 4)each pair of levers can actually be aligned, i.e. they form an obtuseangle of up to 180°.

Therefore, at the end of the approaching transfer movement, i.e. whenthe mobile brewing head support 7 is about to abut against the lowerframe 6, the same incremental displacement Δx of the shaft 16 will beconverted in a much smaller relative displacement Δy of the mobilebrewing head support 7 (when compared to the initial position as shownin FIG. 3). On the other hand, the closure force, i.e. the force withwhich the mobile brewing head support 7 will approach the lower frame 6in the final phase and eventually abut against it, is much higher inthis final phase of the approaching closing movement when compared tothe initial stage as shown in FIG. 3.

Therefore, the lever arrangement 19 represents one example of amechanical transmission means with varying transmission ratio during thecourse of the closing/opening movement. In the early stage of theclosing movement (starting from the open state of the extraction module)the closure force is relatively low (and the closure speed relativelyhigh). On the other hand, the mechanical transmission means are designedsuch that the final stage of the closure movement, and particularly whenthe mobile brewing head support 7 presses against the lower frame 6.

Note that the function of a capsule holder 21 cooperating with asteering axis 22 will be explained later on.

FIG. 4 shows a broken view when the closing system is in its closedposition in which the mobile brewing head support 7 and the lower frame6 tightly enclose a capsule confinement space.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the motor 12 has driven the spindle 15 suchthat the shaft 16 is at its most advanced position (to the left in FIG.4) and the pairs of levers 19 do no longer form an acute angle, but anangle of approx. 180°. In this closed state of the extraction module arelatively low force driven from the motor 12 will cause a very highdown-force of the respectively lower lever 19 of each pairs of levers19.

In the position as shown in FIG. 4, the beverage production processtakes place. Once the beverage production process has been completed,the electronic control (not shown in the figures) will control theelectric motor 12 to turn in the reverse direction, such that thespindle 15 will retract the shaft 16 such that in turn the mobilebrewing head support 7 will be lifted back to the position as shown inFIG. 3.

From the above explanations and FIGS. 3 and 4 it is clear that theelectrical motor 12 can be dimensioned relatively small as its torque istransmitted by mechanical transmission means (lever arrangement 19) intoa closure force which is increasing with the course of the closuretransfer movement.

In the following it will be explained that other movements aremechanically coupled to this main closure/opening movement of theextraction module.

In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a lower capsule detaching unit (capsule ejector) 20is shown. As can be seen particularly from FIG. 5, the main elements ofthe capsule ejector 20 are essentially annular ejecting member 34 aswell as an ejector control arm 35 having at its inner side (not shown inthe figures) for example pins 20 a engaging with inclined ramp 7 b ofthe mobile brewing head support 7.

Starting from FIG. 3, when the mobile brewing head support 7 is movedlinearly downwards, the extremity of the control arm 35 having an innerpin 20 a will slide over the ramp 7 a until the free extremity of thecontrol arm 35 will be placed at the most inner position of the inclinedramp 7 a when the extraction module reaches its closed state as shown inFIG. 4.

On the other hand, when a capsule is inserted into the capsule insertionspace between the lower frame 6 and the mobile brewing head support 7,the annular element 34 of the lower capsule ejector 20 is sandwichedbetween the rim portion of the capsule 24 and the lower frame 6.

Now, when having finished the beverage production process the mobilebrewing head support 7 is again lifted upwards (starting from the closedstate as shown in FIG. 4 towards the open intermediate state of FIG. 5),the engagement pins 20 a attached to the inner side of the control arm35 will become engaged with the inclined ramp 7 b such that the bentcontrol arm 35 will turn around a bearing axis. This in turn will causeto rotate the annular member 34 of the capsule ejector 20 from theposition as shown in FIG. 4 in which it rests on the upper surface ofthe lower frame 6, to a rotate position as shown in FIG. 5. At the sametime the annular member 34 will engage with the outer rim of the capsule24 (s. FIG. 5) and detach in a rotational movement the capsule 24 fromthe recession of the lower brewing head 9.

As will be explained later on, this rotational movement of the lowercapsule ejector 20 will cause to slide the (used) capsule 24 backwardsinto a tray (not shown in the drawings).

Due to the engagement of the bent control arm 35 of the lower capsuleejector 20 and the ramp 7 b of the mobile brewing head support 7 thisdetachment action lifting the capsule 24 from the lower frame 6 isactively controlled by a mechanical coupling to the opening transfermovement of the mobile brewing head support 7.

Further features of the invention will now be explained referring to thecross sectional view of FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view in the extraction module accordingto the present invention in its open state.

A user is about to insert the capsule 24.

The lower capsule ejector 20 is in a position where the outer rimportion of the capsule 24 will sandwich the annular member 34 of thelower capsule ejector 20 with regard to the lower frame 6.

As will be explained in the following, also a detaching action withregard to the mobile brewing head support 7 is mechanically and activelycoupled to the main movement of the mobile brewing head support 7. Inorder to detach the capsule from the mobile brewing head support 7, andespecially in order to detach the capsule from water injection means 36housed in a concave portion of the mobile brewing head support 7, anupper capsule ejector 25 is provided. In the position as shown in FIG. 6this upper capsule ejector 25 is in an retracted position. Generally,the upper capsule ejector 25 is moveable between the retracted positionas shown in FIG. 6 and an advanced position which will be explainedlater on (s. for example FIG. 8). The movement of the upper capsuleejector 25 is actively controlled by the interaction of the upper end ofthe upper capsule ejector 25 with a control cam 37 which is fixed intranslation to the shaft 16. Therefore, the current relative position ofthe upper capsule ejector 25 vis-à-vis the mobile brewing head support7, e.g. in the retracted or advanced position, depends on the currentposition of the shaft 16 (driven by the spindle 15) and the particularlydesigned shape the control cam 37.

In FIG. 6 also the security system comprising the spring-biased slidingdoor 11 and the security switch 10 can be seen.

Furthermore, a capsule holder 21 is depicted in FIG. 6, which can carryout a rotational movement, which is controlled by the interaction of asteering axis 22 and a spring 23 with the mobile brewing head support 7which will be explained in detail later on.

In any case, the capsule holder 21 is provided with a stop wall 39. Inthe position as shown in FIG. 6 the stop wall 39 extends beyond thereception claim of the lower brewing head 9 of the lower frame 6.Therefore, when the user is inserting a capsule 24 as shown in FIG. 6,this insertion is facilitated by having the stop wall 39 protrudingupwards from this reception plane.

When the motor 12 drives the mobile brewing head support 7 into theclosed position as shown in FIG. 7, the water injection means 38 arepushed inside the upper surface of the capsule 24. In this position asshown in FIG. 7 water under pressure can enter the capsule 24 and theinteraction with the beverage ingredients contained in the capsule 24can commence.

At the same time, the perforation means 32 have already open the lowersurface of the capsule 24 and a produced beverage can be collected anddrained through the draining channel 27.

From FIG. 7 can also be seen that in this closed position of theextraction module the upper capsule ejector 25 is in its most retractedposition. This retracted position is controlled by the control cam 37provided at the end of the shaft 16.

When the mobile brewing head support 7 is transferred from the openposition as shown in FIG. 6 to the closed position as shown in FIG. 7,the initially upstanding stop wall 39 of the capsule holder 21 will bepushed downwards by the mobile brewing head support 7. When the capsuleholder 21 having the stop wall 39 is rotated (counter-clockwise in thedrawings), a spring 23 will be tensioned. The tensioned spring 23 causesthe steering axis 22 to rotate counter-clockwise, such that a downwardsextending stopper arm 42 of the steering axis 22 will be rotated on topof an upstanding stop 43 of the capsule holder 21. As a result, thecapsule holder 21 is blocked in its lower position shown in FIG. 7 dueto the blocking effect of the stopper arm 42 and the stop 43.

A comparison of FIGS. 6 and 7 shows that the motor 12, the gear box 13,the motor block support 14, the spindle 15 and the shaft 16 are notfixedly mounted to the main frame 26, but are allowed to carry out aswivel movement during a closure and opening transfer movement,respectively, of the jaw members 6, 7.

The mentioned motor block parts (the motor 12, the gear box 13, themotor block support 14, the spindle 15 and the shaft 16) are actuallyfixed free in rotation to the main frame 26 by the motor block bearingaxis 41 (see e.g. FIG. 3).

When, starting from the closed beverage production state as shown inFIG. 7, the mobile brewing head support 7, driven by the motor 12 ismoved upwards again, the capsule holder 21 will not immediately followthis movement due to an interaction of the capsule holder 21 with thesteering axis 22.

This delay of the rotation of the capsule holder 21 makes it possiblethat the lower capsule ejector 20 lifts, as shown in FIG. 9, in arotational movement the capsule 24 from its recessed position, such thatthe capsule 24 will eventually (as shown in FIG. 9) slide from theinclined lower capsule ejector 20 over a sliding surface 40 of thecapsule holder 21 and backwards into a tray (not shown).

This rearward displacement of the capsule 24 is promoted by the factthat the extraction module is preferably mounted in the beverageproduction device such that it is inclined rearward by an angle of e.g.30°. Thus the rear portion of the lower brewing head 9 is positionedlower than the front portion thereof.

During the opening movement, i.e. the upwards movement of the mobilebrewing head support 7, the control cam 37 of the shaft 16 will cause arelative protruding movement of the upper capsule ejector 25 vis-à-visthe water injection means of the upper brewing head 8. This detachingaction of the upper capsule ejector 25 vis-à-vis the upper brewing head8 occurs before the annular member 34 of the lower capsule ejector 20will lift the capsule 24 from the lower frame 6 in a rotationalmovement.

This delay of the detaching action of the upper capsule ejector 25 andthe lower capsule ejector 20, respectively, is defined by thecorresponding designs of the control cam 37 of the shaft 16 and the bentcontrol arm of the lower capsule ejector.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, when the shaft 16 is retracted by the motor12 starting from the closed position as shown in FIG. 7, the uppercapsule ejector 25 is held in position by a first section 37 b of thecontrol cam 37, while the upper brewing head 8 is already movingupwards. This corresponds to a relative protrusion movement of the uppercapsule ejector vis-à-vis the upper brewing head 8 such that the capsule24 will be actively detached from the perforation and injection means32.

Only when the shaft 16 is retracted to an extent that the upper capsuleejector 25 start cooperating with a second, recessed section 37 b of thecontrol cam 37, the upper capsule ejector 25 is free to follow theupwards movement of the upper brewing head 8.

In the state during the opening (upwards) movement of the upper brewinghead 6 shown in FIG. 8, the capsule holder 21 is still blocked in itslower position.

However, when the upwards opening movement reaches the position shown inFIG. 9, a upper cam 44 of the steering axis is rotated clockwise by arecession 45 of the mobile brewing head support 7 such that the blockingeffect of the steering axis 22 ceases and the capsule holder 22 canresume its upper position shown in FIG. 6, in which the stop wall 39defines a rear stop when inserting the next capsule 24.

To summarise, as a main action the motor 12 drives the opening/closuremovement of the extraction module. Coupled to this main action is thedelayed action of the detaching means for the upper jaw and the lowerjaw, respectively. Finally, also the driving of the displacements of thecapsule holder 21 are mechanically coupled to said main action.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A device for producing a beverage from a capsule containing abeverage ingredient, comprising: an extraction module having a first jawmember and a second jaw member in an opened state of the extractionmodule the jaw members are separated from each other while in the closedstate the jaw members enclose a capsule space; a motor for controllingthe transfer of the extraction module between the closed and openedstate; first capsule detaching means for detaching the capsule from thefirst jaw member; and second capsule detaching means for detaching thecapsule from the second jaw member, the first and second detaching meansare mechanically coupled with the motor-driven transfer movement of theextraction module.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the firstand second detaching means are mechanically coupled in such a mannerthat one of the first and second detaching means is activated at adefined time after the activation of the respectively other detachingmeans.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thedetaching means carries out a rotational detaching movement.
 4. A devicefor producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising: an extractionmodule, driven by a motor, the extraction module comprises a first jawmember and a second jaw member in an opened state of the extractionmodule the jaw members are separated from each other while in the closedstate the jaw members enclose a capsule space; a motor for driving atransfer of the extraction module between the closed and the openedstate; and a security sensor which enables the motor to move theextraction module from the opened state to the closed state only if noobstacle is sensed in a space between the two jaw members.